US wants 'stronger' UNSC response to Myanmar violence

WASHINGTON: The Bush administration has expressed disappointment at the UN Security Council's response to the violence in Myanmar, saying it should have taken "stronger" action.

"I will say, on Burma (Myanmar), that, given what is going on in the streets in Rangoon, I would have hoped that the Security Council would have taken stronger action. But we are pleased that Ambassador (Ibrahim) Gambari is going to go out on behalf of the Secretary General," US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said.

"... the Security Council is very important, as the place that the international community expresses its views," Rice remarked.

Rice said the UN envoy must be allowed to meet with Myanmar opposition icon Aung San Suu Kyi and her party during his visit to the country.

"We are unanimous in insisting that the regime in Burma receive him and accede to all of his requests, including to see Aung San Suu Kyi and to talk to members of the political opposition. Ultimately, there has to be a process that gets Burma on a political course so that there can be reconciliation of the Burmese people. There needs to be, immediately, a stop to the violence against innocent people," she added.